World distributors chase VN film

Good start: A scene of the Lua Phat (Once upon a Time in Viet Nam) starring Dustin Nguyen (right). The movie could be screened in more than 20 countries and territories worldwide. — File Photo

HCM CITY — Just days after it premiered in Viet Nam, Lua Phat (Once upon a Time in Viet Nam) could be screened in more than 20 countries and territories worldwide.

The BHD company, the film's main distributor, announced on Tuesday that two big film distributors in the US and Canada - Grindstone Entertainment and Lionsgate – had agreed to purchase exclusive marketing and distribution rights respectively for Lua Phat.

Distribution and DVD rights for the action movie have also been sold to Incubate (Australia and New Zealand), Spendid Film GmbH (Germany), Sonamu Pictures (South Korea), Picture Works (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Pakistan), Creative Century Entertainment Co. Ltd (Taiwan), and IPA (Thailand).

The producer is also in negotiations with several film distributors in England (Terracotta Distribution), and France/Brazil (Novo Films).

Director and main actor Dustin Nguyen said: "Lua Phat will be screened in Asia, Europe and North America. This almost matches my expectation to bring the film to the world."

Ngo Thi Bich Hanh, CEO of BHD and its affiliate, the Viet Nam Media Corporation, said Lua Phat was the first film to be distributed in so many countries immediately after release in Viet Nam.

Lua Phat premiered in cinemas nationwide on August 22. In the first four days, 65,000 tickets had been sold for VND4.3 billion (US$200,000). — VNS